Temporary injunction locks down violence-plagued Silverado's

Silverado’s, the Murfreesboro Pike nightclub that police said had become plagued with criminal activity over the last year and a half, is now locked down under a court-ordered temporary injunction.

In a law enforcement tactic that has now seen at least three Nashville businesses and one private residence shuttered (either temporarily or permanently) over the last year by a judge’s signature, the district attorney’s office and Metro police officers from the Hermitage precinct worked together to draw up the temporary injunction against the 1204 Murfreesboro Pike business.

Criminal Court Judge Mark Fishburn signed the temporary injunction Wednesday, officially declaring the club, also known as Rado’s, a public nuisance and shutting it down at least until a court hearing can be held.

According to police, Paul Louis Eichel served as the club’s main operator. A contact number for Eichel could not be found.

A Metro police release stated that department records indicate there were 194 calls for service to the nightclub from Jan. 1, 2010, to July 4, 2011, for “repeated and recurring criminal and disorderly activities” that have spilled over and affected neighboring businesses and the quality of life in the area.

During that span, police reported five shootings (one at a business across the street) as well as numerous assaults and reported drug activity, with most of the criminal activity occurring on Sunday nights. The club opened for business on Thursday through Sunday nights.

The reported shootings include the following:

On Jan. 25, 2010, a customer allegedly shot a Silverado’s employee in the leg.

On Jan. 2, 2011, a man ran from the club after hearing shots and later realized he’d been shot in the leg.

On April 18, 2011, according to police, two people were shot while on the dance floor — one had been targeted; the other was an innocent victim.

On June 17, 2011, a man was shot across the street from Silverado’s after he’d been drinking at the club.

On July 4, 2011, two people were injured in a shooting.

As with the June 2 padlocking of Out of Bounds Bar and Grill, located within close proximity of Silverado’s, area businesses also complained about issues ranging from litter to unauthorized parking to theft that coincided with Silverado’s hours of operations — the worst activity reportedly coming when the club closed early each morning.

On a related theme, last month the owner of a Merry Street home agreed to have it demolished months after the district attorney’s office and police served a temporary injunction on it, citing it as a haven for the sale and use of crack cocaine.

Last year, police shut down the Harding Inn, located near Harding Place and Interstate 24, for rampant drug and prostitution activity.

A hearing on the Silverado’s temporary injunction is set for 12 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10.